Acrylic Acid Price Trend Report and Forecast 2026-2027

Introduction: Understanding the Acrylic Acid Market

Acrylic acid (CH₂=CHCOOH) is one of the most commercially significant unsaturated carboxylic acids in the global petrochemical industry. This colourless, pungent liquid serves as a foundational building block for a vast array of polymers and chemical intermediates that underpin multiple industrial sectors. The acrylic acid price trend in FY25 has been shaped by a confluence of feedstock dynamics, shifting demand patterns, and evolving global trade conditions.

Acrylic acid is commercially produced through the catalytic vapour-phase oxidation of propylene, making propylene pricing and availability the single most influential cost driver. The resulting product is used to manufacture:

• Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs) – used extensively in diapers, sanitary napkins, and adult incontinence products
• Acrylate Esters (butyl, methyl, ethyl, 2-EH) – critical for paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants
• Water Treatment Chemicals – polyacrylic acid-based dispersants and flocculants
• Textile and Leather Auxiliaries – finishing agents and binders

Sources: Expert Market Research, Acrylic Acid Market Report 2025; Procurement Resource; BASF SE Product Documentation

Key Sectors Driving Acrylic Acid Demand

Personal Care and Hygiene: The personal care segment is the single largest end-use category for acrylic acid globally. Superabsorbent polymers derived from glacial acrylic acid remain the cornerstone of disposable hygiene products. The United Nations Population Division projects the global population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, driving substantial growth in infant and adult incontinence product demand. The WHO reports that per capita consumption of disposable hygiene items in emerging economies has grown at approximately 12% annually.

Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives: Construction and infrastructure sectors are major consumers of acrylic acid-based acrylate esters for waterborne coatings, architectural paints, and industrial adhesives. Butyl acrylate is the single largest derivative by volume. The IEA notes that global construction output will increase by 3.5% annually through 2030. The ongoing global shift from solvent-borne to waterborne coatings, driven by VOC emission regulations from the U.S. EPA, continues to boost consumption.

Water Treatment: Polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide are widely deployed in water treatment processes as dispersants and flocculants. Increasing regulatory pressure on industrial wastewater management and rising investments in municipal water infrastructure, particularly across Asia-Pacific, are expanding this end-use category.

Sources: United Nations Population Division; World Health Organization (WHO); International Energy Agency (IEA); U.S. EPA

Global Acrylic Acid Market Overview

The global acrylic acid market attained a volume of approximately 8.87 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2025, according to Expert Market Research. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% during the 2026–2035 forecast period, reaching around 14.59 MMT by 2035. Asia-Pacific dominated with more than 50% of global volume, led by China, India, Japan, and South Korea. China alone accounted for over 25% of worldwide coatings demand, per the China National Coatings Industry Association, which reported approximately 7% annual industry growth.

Sources: Expert Market Research, Acrylic Acid Market Report 2025; China National Coatings Industry Association

Global Acrylic Acid Price Trend FY25

The global acrylic acid price trend in FY25 was characterised by a broadly bearish trajectory across most regions, except Europe. Prices declined between 7% and 29% on a full-year basis across the five major regions tracked. The primary drivers of the acrylic acid cost decline included:

• Softening Propylene Feedstock: Propylene, the primary raw material, experienced sustained price weakness through 2025. The U.S. EIA reported 35% price volatility for propylene in 2024, and continued softening removed cost-side support for producers.
• Asian Overcapacity: Chinese producers maintained high operating rates, while new capacity from BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund complex and Nippon Shokubai’s 100,000 MT/year Indonesia facility contributed to abundant supply.
• Subdued Downstream Demand: Construction and automotive sectors showed cautious procurement, limiting pull-through demand for acrylate esters and coatings.
• US Tariff Uncertainty: Proposed tariff measures created economic caution, with buyers delaying long-term commitments and operating on short-cycle purchasing strategies.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA); BASF SE; Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.

Southeast Asia: Acrylic Acid Price Trend FY25

The Southeast Asian market recorded a steady decline throughout FY25, with quarterly acrylic acid prices falling from USD 0.996/KG in Q1 to USD 0.925/KG by Q4, an overall decline of approximately 7.2%. The region was pressured by competitive Chinese exports and subdued downstream demand from coatings and hygiene product manufacturers. Propylene feedstock costs remained largely stable, providing neither upward cost support nor additional downward pressure.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research Pricing Data

Northeast Asia: Acrylic Acid Price Trend FY25

Northeast Asia, led by China, Japan, and South Korea, experienced the most significant acrylic acid price correction in FY25. Prices fell from USD 1.013/KG in Q1 to USD 0.874/KG by Q4, a cumulative decline of approximately 13.7%. The sharpest drop occurred in Q3 (-11.5%), driven by abundant domestic production, weakening export demand, and seasonal manufacturing slowdowns.

Chinese producers maintained high operating rates with aggressive export pricing that compressed margins regionally. The China National Chemical Information Center reported a 6% capacity expansion in 2025. The acrylic acid forecast for Northeast Asia suggested continued softness into early FY26, with stabilisation dependent on improved export volumes and restocking from SAP and coatings manufacturers.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; China National Chemical Information Center

South America: Acrylic Acid Price Trend FY25

South American acrylic acid prices declined sharply in FY25, falling from USD 1.224/KG in Q1 to USD 0.999/KG by Q4, a full-year decline of approximately 18.4%. Brazil, the region’s largest market, faced weak domestic demand exacerbated by rising interest rates and declining consumer purchasing power.

Q3 witnessed the steepest quarterly fall (-12.2%), as redirected trade flows from Asian oversupply compressed regional pricing. The acrylic acid cost environment was further weakened by a depreciating Brazilian real. By Q4, the pace of decline moderated to 6.6%, although the market remained bearish.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research Pricing Data; Trading Economics

North America: Acrylic Acid Price Trend FY25

North America recorded the steepest acrylic acid price decline of all five regions, with prices falling from USD 1.787/KG in Q1 to USD 1.269/KG by Q4 – a full-year drop of approximately 29%. The Q3 decline of 15.2% was the single largest quarterly correction observed globally, driven by elevated import inventories from China, weak adhesive and SAP demand, and declining spot propylene costs.

Despite ample domestic production from integrated Gulf Coast complexes, the acrylic acid market remained oversupplied as buyers operated on short-cycle procurement. Seasonal construction slowdowns in Q4 reduced coatings consumption further, with spot offers heavily discounted to stimulate volume.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research; U.S. EIA

Europe: Acrylic Acid Price Trend FY25

Europe was the only region to record a net positive acrylic acid price movement in FY25, with prices rising from USD 1.269/KG in Q1 to USD 1.348/KG by Q4, a modest increase of approximately 6.2%. Q2 saw the strongest gain (+6.9%), driven by seasonal demand from Germany’s coatings and construction sectors and Rhine logistics constraints that disrupted feedstock deliveries.

Europe’s price resilience reflected tighter supply-demand balances. The European Commission’s REACH framework and VOC emission standards supported demand for waterborne acrylic formulations. Arkema’s €130 million Carat project at Carling, France, launched in March 2025, signalled long-term commitment to capacity enhancement, improving energy efficiency by 25% and reducing carbon intensity by 20%.

Sources: Procurement Resource; Expert Market Research; European Commission (REACH); Arkema Corporate Announcements (March 2025)

Acrylic Acid Market Outlook: FY26

The acrylic acid forecast for FY26 reflects a cautiously stabilising global market, with limited upside potential unless downstream demand recovers materially or supply tightens through planned maintenance shutdowns and capacity rationalisation. Key outlook factors include:

• Feedstock Dynamics: Propylene price movements remain the primary cost driver. Any recovery in crude oil prices could provide cost-side support, though pass-through remains uncertain given competitive conditions.
• Capacity Additions: BASF’s Zhanjiang complex (~400,000 tonnes/year BA capacity), Arkema’s Carat project, and LG Chem’s bio-acrylic acid pilot facility will influence supply dynamics. Near-term overcapacity risk persists.
• Bio-Based Acrylic Acid: In February 2025, LG Chem launched bio-acrylic acid from vegetable oil feedstocks, targeting 100 MT/year pilot capacity. BASF invested USD 200 million in a German bio-acrylic acid facility, aiming to boost sustainable capacity by 20% by 2027.
• Regional Demand Recovery: Asia-Pacific remains the key growth engine, with infrastructure buildout, hygiene product penetration, and waterborne coatings adoption expected to drive volume recovery.

Sources: Expert Market Research; BASF SE Corporate Announcements; LG Chem (February 2025); Arkema (March 2025); Dow Chemical

Key Takeaways for Buyers and Manufacturers

For Procurement and Sourcing Professionals

• Leverage the buyer’s market: With prices declining across most regions, Q1 FY26 presents an opportune window for locking in favourable contract terms.
• Monitor propylene feedstock: Propylene cost movements remain the leading indicator for acrylic acid price direction.
• Diversify sourcing: European prices remained resilient while Asian and North American markets corrected sharply. Multi-region procurement mitigates disruption risks.
• Evaluate bio-based alternatives: BASF and LG Chem are commercialising bio-acrylic acid; early adoption provides supply chain resilience and sustainability credibility.

For Manufacturers and Producers

• Manage overcapacity risk: New Asia-Pacific capacity pressures margins. Strategic maintenance scheduling and production rate optimisation are essential.
• Invest in downstream integration: Integrated acrylate ester and SAP production chains are better positioned to absorb margin compression during bearish cycles.
• Accelerate sustainability: Arkema’s ISCC+ certification signals that sustainability credentials are becoming a competitive differentiator in European and North American markets.
• Target specialty grades: Glacial acrylic acid for electronics, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical applications commands premium margins.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Procurement Resource; Arkema; BASF SE; LG Chem

Analyst Insights

The acrylic acid price trend in FY25 underscored the market’s sensitivity to feedstock economics, capacity utilisation, and global trade dynamics. Unlike copper, which benefited from structural supply-demand tightening, the acrylic acid market faced abundant supply, moderate demand growth, and limited pricing power for producers.

Looking forward, structural growth drivers remain intact. The SAP segment continues to expand rapidly, driven by demographic trends and rising hygiene consciousness. Electronics-grade glacial acrylic acid represents an emerging high-value opportunity for semiconductor applications. The key risk for buyers in FY26 is a potential supply-side shock from unplanned shutdowns or a sharp propylene price recovery, which could rapidly reverse the current bearish trajectory.

Sources: Expert Market Research; Goldman Sachs Commodity Research; Procurement Resource

Sources and References

1. Expert Market Research, Acrylic Acid Market Report 2025 Edition
2. Expert Market Research, Acrylic Acid Pricing Data FY25
3. Procurement Resource, Acrylic Acid Price Trends and Forecast
4. Goldman Sachs Commodity Research
5. BASF SE, Zhanjiang Verbund Site Corporate Announcements (March 2023; 2025)
6. Arkema Group, Carat Project Launch Announcement (March 2025)
7. Arkema Group, ISCC+ Certification Announcement, Taixing (January 2024)
8. LG Chem, Bio-Acrylic Acid Launch Announcement (February 2025)
9. Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., Indonesia Facility Inauguration (May 2023)
10. Dow Chemical Company, U.S. Plant Expansion Announcement (January 2025)
11. United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects
12. World Health Organization (WHO), Hygiene Product Consumption Data
13. International Energy Agency (IEA), Global Construction Outlook
14. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Propylene Price Data
15. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOC Emission Regulations
16. European Commission, REACH Regulatory Framework
17. China National Coatings Industry Association, Industry Growth Data
18. China National Chemical Information Center, Capacity Expansion Data 2025
19. Trading Economics, Commodity Data, February 2026